Thrash Quietly: 21 Smartest Sly Nods to Punk at the Met Gala

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Perhaps Eddie Redmayne put it best when he tried to explain his navy blue tuxedo to model/host Hilary Rhoda last night: “You’re invited to a punk party and you’re told to turn up in a suit.” Indeed, it was a confusing night for the attendees of the 2013 Met Gala. You could either go whole-hog punk in a mohawk headpiece (Sarah Jessica Parker), mesh bodysuit (Miley Cyrus), or Blondie rig (Debbie Harry, Anne Hathaway), or ignore the theme altogether in favor of simple, pretty dresses (lots of people, but especially Kate Upton). Or even try perplexing, theme-averse spring florals (Anna Wintour, Kim Kardashian, and Mary-Kate Olsen).

Really, there was no way to win. Which is why we’d argue that the best way to look stylish, satisfied, and on-theme was to choose just one detail — an accessory, an eye makeup color, a signature styling quirk — that would add slight punk edge to an otherwise chic black-tie look. Too much punk and you might’ve seemed like a poser or, worse, worried about never getting any future coverage in Vogue (sorry, Madonna). Not enough edge and you might have been considered a sour-sport, destined to live the rest of your week wondering why the Internet ignored your perfectly pretty green goddess gown. So, we’re left with but one solution: the rare occasion when a happy medium, when hedging your bets, or towing the line, is actually the only way to stand out appropriately. Herewith, the 21 attendees who did that best.

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Fake nose rings Props to Karen Elson and Jessica Biel for getting septum-pierced, even if both are obviously temporary.
Photo: BFA, Getty ...Fake nose rings Props to Karen Elson and Jessica Biel for getting septum-pierced, even if both are obviously temporary.
Photo: BFA, Getty Images

Hilary Rhoda’s leather pants Party up top, punk down below. Too bad we could hardly see these pants in Vogue’s live-stream of the evening.
Photo...Hilary Rhoda’s leather pants Party up top, punk down below. Too bad we could hardly see these pants in Vogue’s live-stream of the evening.
Photo: Joe Schildhorn /BFAnyc.com/BFA NYC

Rooney Mara’s dark lips The vampiric shade took an otherwise bridal, white-lace dress and made it right for the event.
Photo: Joe Schildhorn /BF...Rooney Mara’s dark lips The vampiric shade took an otherwise bridal, white-lace dress and made it right for the event.
Photo: Joe Schildhorn /BFAnyc.com/BFA NYC

Ivanka Trump’s green highlights No real St. Marks kid would match her hair to her clothes, but we don’t blame Ivanka for trying. It makes sense o... Ivanka Trump’s green highlights No real St. Marks kid would match her hair to her clothes, but we don’t blame Ivanka for trying. It makes sense on her, somehow.
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic

Lauren Santo Domingo’s choker She went the more-is-more route with her jewelry, but only the choker has us imagining her at CBGB.
Photo: Joe Sch...Lauren Santo Domingo’s choker She went the more-is-more route with her jewelry, but only the choker has us imagining her at CBGB.
Photo: Joe Schildhorn /BFAnyc.com/BFA NYC

Giovanna Battaglia’s safety-pin hair A number of women wore Game of Thrones–esque Dolce & Gabbana styles, oddly, but it was this Italian styl... Giovanna Battaglia’s safety-pin hair A number of women wore Game of Thrones–esque Dolce & Gabbana styles, oddly, but it was this Italian stylist who reclaimed the night with her hair.
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Emilia Clarke’s cross earring God save the queen. Or dragons. Or something like that. At least she didn’t dress like her show (looking at you, Ba... Emilia Clarke’s cross earring God save the queen. Or dragons. Or something like that. At least she didn’t dress like her show (looking at you, Battaglia).
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic

Katie Holmes’s pseudo-mohawk Surprisingly, it was an uptight Holmes that towed the line best between between Sarah Jessica Parker headpiece and r... Katie Holmes’s pseudo-mohawk Surprisingly, it was an uptight Holmes that towed the line best between between Sarah Jessica Parker headpiece and regular black-tie updos.
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic

Cameron Diaz’s spiked belt Can she move in this thing? Between the cape and that harness across her waist, it looks mighty uncomfortable.
Photo:...Cameron Diaz’s spiked belt Can she move in this thing? Between the cape and that harness across her waist, it looks mighty uncomfortable.
Photo: Julian Mackler/BFAnyc.com/BFA NYC

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s choker As Anna Wintour shared with all, pink is the official color of punk. At least she got the official necklace right.
Ph...Maggie Gyllenhaal’s choker As Anna Wintour shared with all, pink is the official color of punk. At least she got the official necklace right.
Photo: Julian Mackler/BFAnyc.com/BFA NYC